Envelope having improved overlap profile

ABSTRACT

An envelope assembly is provided for improved performance of a mailing envelope in the automated mail handling process. The envelope comprises a front panel having top, bottom and side edges and forming an envelope front surface, side flaps extending front the side edges, a rear panel extending from the bottom edge and combining with the side flaps to form an envelope rear surface, and a closure flap extending from the top edge for securing the envelope in a closed position. The configuration and attachment of the side flaps and the rear panel are especially beneficial as described herein.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/418,802, filed Apr. 18, 2003 and entitled “Envelope HavingImproved Overlap Profile”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/969,944, filed Oct. 3, 2001 and entitled“Envelope Having Improved Overlap Profile”, both of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a mailing envelope and, moreparticularly, to an envelope having side seam and closure flap profilesthat improve performance during processing by automated mail handingequipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Envelopes have long-been used to transport a wide variety of itemsthrough the mail, including letters, documents, photographs, and thelike. In this arrangement, certain items will be placed in the generallyrectangularly-shaped envelope and the closure flap subsequently adheredto securely hold the items for shipment. In recent years, there has beena need to produce a mailing envelope that is ideally suited for sendingcorrespondence to or from businesses that deal in high-volume mailing,such as credit card companies, or other billing or advertisingcompanies. However, because of the expense of designing specializedenvelopes and various postal regulations levying surcharges for usingnon-standard mail, envelope designs used on a mass-market basis are verystandard.

A typical mailing envelope design consists of a number of flaps andpanels that are folded and adhesively secured together. Often thesedesigns take into consideration the integrity of the envelope and thevarious seams which are adhered together to form its shape. Despitebeing structurally sound, envelopes are often difficult for automatedmail handling equipment to process. Business mailings often require suchequipment to perform well in all three stages of the mailing process,including: (1) insertion of an item into an envelope for shipment; (2)within the mail stream while the envelope is being transported andproperly routed to its destination; and (3) automated opening of theenvelope to reveal its contents. Failure at any of these stages cancause excessive delays and costs for a mass-market mailing regime thatrelies on such mailing handling equipment to process thousands ofenvelopes, and items contained therein, in a short amount of time.

During the mechanical insertion process, an envelope is advanced along aconveyor system and one or more inserts is placed inside the envelope.The envelope can then be sealed and placed into the mail stream. Variousequipment is used to advance the envelope in the mail stream, includingconveyor systems similar to those used in the first stage of theprocess. In final stage, an envelope is remitted with a check or otherpapers enclosed. The envelope is again received in a conveyor system andpositioned such that an automated opening device can cut away the topedge and side edges of the envelope to reveal the contents. In all threestages of the mail handling process, a number of different devices areused to advance and securely hold the envelopes in position, such asmechanical fingers and other known devices.

Standard envelopes used for business mailings employ a number of designfeatures that can cause the envelope and inserts to jam or snag withinthe automated mail handling equipment. For example, a typical closureflap has fairly sharp shoulder sections that frequently produce mailhandling problems. Because these shoulder sections—if parallel to theenvelope side edges—are aligned fairly perpendicular to the direction oftravel of the envelope along the conveyor, there is little room forerror by feeding or advancing equipment that grasps the closure flap ofthe rapidly traveling envelope. Instead of allowing the mail handlingequipment to gradually encounter the closure flap, the side edge of theclosure flap is substantially fully presented so that misalignedenvelopes essentially cannot be aligned by the equipment.

Another feature that introduces error into the automated system is anenvelope having jagged transition points between the various flaps andpanels of the rear surface that make up the “throat” of the envelope.When an inserting mechanism attempts to place an insert into theenvelope, the interface of the side flap with the rear panel creates aridge that can cause the insert to snag on the throat, interfering withthe proper direction of travel of the insert. Additionally, vacuumsuction devices used to lift the envelope rear surface to aid in placingthe insert inside the envelope may fail to properly adhere to the rearsurface when encountering a jagged transition point. Further, thetraditional “throat” design for an envelope present a straight edge thatbecomes a perpendicular barrier to inserts. Instead of allowing theinsert to contact the throat gradually, the traditional design forcesthe insert to contact the throat all at once, often causing the insertto jam and fail to maintain proper alignment for envelope insertion.

Envelope advancement along a conveyor or similar system is also impededby traditional envelope configurations. For ease of manufacture, theside seam formed at the junction of the envelope rear and side panelsare typically positioned immediately adjacent to the overall envelopeside edge. However, this design can cause various envelope-grabbingapparatuses (e.g., mechanical fingers) to snag or catch on the seam asthe envelope side edge is grasped for advancement. Under thesecircumstances, the integrity of the envelope is compromised. Further,such a design often forces an automated opening device to cut through anadhesive layer holding the rear panel and side flaps together, speedingthe dulling and degradation of the opening device.

One type of envelope design that avoids some of the aforementionedproblems is a diagonal cut envelope. This envelope design includes apair of diagonal seams extending upwardly and inwardly from bothlowermost corners of the rear panel of the envelope. Although thisenvelope addresses the concern with automated mail handling equipment,these envelopes present an uneven rear panel surface. This isundesirable because it is often necessary, especially in bulk mailings,to include printing or a window on the rear panel surface of theenvelope. An uneven surface greatly complicates the application ofprinting or the inclusion of a window.

Thus, a need exists for a new envelope design having a panel and flaparrangement that minimizes problems at all stages of the automated mailhandling process and presents a smooth rear panel surface. This designwould provide the same overall outside dimensions as a standard businessmailing envelope while being configured for ease of manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An envelope having top and bottom edges and first and second side edgesaccording to an embodiment disclosed herein includes a front panel, arear panel having a top edge and first and second side edges, first andsecond side flaps, and a closure flap. The rear panel is interconnectedwith the front panel along the bottom edge of the envelope, and at leasta portion of the rear panel between the first and second side edges hasa width that is reduced from the panel width of the rear panel along thebottom edge. The first and second side flaps are interconnected with thefront panel along a line of weakness to define opposite first and secondside edges for the envelope as the first and second side flaps arefolded toward the rear panel. The first and second side flaps extendinwardly a sufficient span as folded from the line of weakness to extendbeyond the first and second side edges of the rear panel, and the firstand second side flaps are secured to the rear panel to cooperativelyform an envelope rear surface positioned opposite of the front panel.The closure flap is interconnected with the front panel along a commontop edge. The rear panel overlaps the side flaps, and adhesive is placedon respective rearwardly facing surfaces of the side flaps to adhere theside flaps to the rear panel. A first transition point is formed at anintersection of the first side flap and the rear panel top edge, and asecond transition point is formed at an intersection of the second sideflap and the rear panel top edge. Both the first and second transitionpoints has a transition angle defined between a tangent line to the rearpanel top edge at the respective transition point and a tangent line tothe respective side flap at the respective transition point. Thetransition angles are about 15 degrees or less.

An envelope according to another embodiment disclosed herein includes afront panel, a rear panel having a top edge and first and second sideedges, first and second side flaps, and a closure flap. The front panelhas a generally rectangular shape and forms an envelope front surface,and the front panel defines opposite first and second side edges of theenvelope. The rear panel is interconnected with the front panel along acommon bottom edge, and the first and second side edges have a rapidlytapering region defining an area of panel width proximal to the bottomedge that is reduced from the panel width along the bottom edge. Aportion of the rear panel first and second side edges above the rapidlytapering region extends substantially parallel to the respective firstand second side edges of the envelope. The first and second side flapsare interconnected with the front panel along common opposite sideedges, and the side flaps are fixedly joined to the rear panel to forman envelope rear surface positioned opposite of the envelope frontsurface. The side flaps are sandwiched between the rear panel and thefront panel. The closure flap is interconnected with the front panelalong a common top edge and has an outer edge forming a set of shoulderareas proximal to the top edge. A first transition point is formed at anintersection of the first side flap and the rear panel top edge, and asecond transition point is formed at an intersection of the second sideflap and the rear panel top edge. Both the first and second transitionpoints has a transition angle defined between a tangent line to the rearpanel top edge at the respective transition point and a tangent line tothe respective side flap at the respective transition point. Thetransition angles are about 15 degrees or less.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing an embodiment of the envelopeassembly of the present invention in which the envelope is in anon-folded configuration prior to final assembly;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view showing the folded envelope andclosure flap in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view showing the folded envelope andclosure flap in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view showing the location of the adhesivesections holding the rear panel and side flaps together;

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the envelope of FIG. 4 showing thetransition point between one of the side flaps and the rear panel; and

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the envelope of FIG. 2 showing atop cut line and side cut lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An envelope assembly in accordance with the present invention is showngenerally at 10 in FIG. 1. The envelope comprises a front panel 12, arear panel 16, a pair of side flaps 18 combining with the rear panel 16when folded to form a rear surface 22 generally parallel to the frontpanel 12, and a closure flap 24 for securing the envelope in a closedposition.

The envelope 10 is typically manufactured from a single piece of flatmaterial, such as paper stock or plastic, that is cut along an outeredge 26 to create the geometry of the various components that form theenvelope. A number of lines of weakness are formed to facilitate foldingalong such lines to position the envelope components for final assembly,as is well known in the art. Adhesive 20 (or other joining means) isthen used to securely hold the rear panel 16 and side flaps 18 togetherto create the rear surface 22, as seen in FIG. 2.

The folded envelope 10 defines an envelope pocket 28 bounded by thefront panel 12 and rear surface 22, an envelope top edge 30, bottom edge32, and side edges 34, 36, as best seen in FIG. 3. The distance from theenvelope top edge 30 to the bottom edge 32 defines an envelope height(H), frequently 4⅛ inches. Likewise, the distance from one envelope sideedge 34 to another envelope side edge 36 defines an envelope width (W),frequently 9½ inches. Although the envelope 10 is optimally designed formailing inserts to or from a business interest that utilizes automaticmail handling equipment, it shall be obvious to those skilled in the artthat the envelope can be used for mailing other items, or fornon-mailing usages such as storing documents.

The front panel 12 is generally rectangular in shape. If desired, thefront panel 12 may include an aperture (not shown) formed into thesurface to create a window in which an address placed on the envelopecontents can be viewed, as is well known in the art. This window mayhave a protective transparent coating. The front panel 12 isinterconnected with the rear panel 16 along the envelope bottom edge 32and is formed with the pair of side flaps 18 and the closure flap 24. Asbest seen in FIG. 3, the rear panel 16 has a top edge 38 and a pair ofanalogous side edges 40, 42. Although the rear panel 16 generally formsa substantial portion of the rear surface 22, it is somewhat smaller inoverall dimensions than the front panel 12. The rear panel 16 shares acommon envelope bottom edge 30 with the front panel 12, at which pointboth panels have a width that is the same as the envelope width (W).

Proceeding upward along the side edges 40, 42, a generally curvedinwardly tapering region 44 is formed where the overall width of therear panel 16 between the side edges is less than that of the envelopewidth (W). The rear panel side edges 40, 42 slope inward and away fromthe envelope side edges 34, 36 in the tapering region 44. Preferably,the inward slope of side edges 40, 42 is a rapid taper beginning with aslope of at least 30 degrees, and ideally at least 40 degrees, away fromenvelope side edges 34, 36 immediately adjacent to bottom edge 32. Thisinward slope becomes less dramatic moving up the side edges 40, 42 inthe tapering region 44. Above the tapering region, rear panel side edges40, 42 are preferably straight edges that may be parallel to theenvelope side edges 34, 36 for a distance, or may slightly taper awayfrom the side edges 34, 36 moving up edges 40, 42 to expose a greaterwidth of the side flaps 18. Preferably the exposed width of each of theside flaps 18 above the tapering region 44 is at least 3/16 of an inchfor an envelope with a width of about 9½ inches. In this configuration,the rear panel 16 has a width that is less than the front panel 12 tofacilitate an automated opening device having to substantially only cutthrough the side flaps 18 and the front panel 12 to open the envelopeside edges 34, 36. As a consequence, the automated opening device doesnot have to cut through, at most, more than a small section of the rearpanel 16 near the tapering region 44, nor must the device cut throughadhesive 20 holding the rear panel 16 and the side flaps 18 together.One exemplary automated opening device that may be used includes acutting mechanism with a rotary blade, such as taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,946,996, issued to Oussani, Jr. et al., the teachings of which areincorporated herein by reference.

The side flaps 18 are generally identical in configuration and extendbetween a portion of the front panel 12 and rear panel 16 for the foldedenvelope. Each of the side flaps 18 comprises a generally trapezoidalshaped flap having a bottom edge 46, an inside edge 48, and a top edge50. It is to be understood, however, that the side flaps 18 can be ofany shape known in the art for securing the position of the rear panel16, such as rectangular, half-circle, or other shapes. The bottom edge46 extends generally inward from the envelope side edges 34, 36 andupward from the envelope bottom edge 30. Although the exact geometry ofthe bottom edge 46 is not critical, it must extend sufficiently inwardlyfrom the envelope side edges 34, 36 as to extend beyond thecorresponding rear panel side edges 40, 42 and create an overlappingprofile with the rear panel 16, Preferably, the rear panel 16 overlaps aportion of each side flap 18 and the adhesive 20 is placed on arearwardly facing surface of each side flap 18 to adhere the side flaps18 to the rear panel 16, as shown in FIG. 4. By placing the side flaps18 inside the rear panel 16, other envelopes and packages (as well asmail sorting and automation devices) may be less likely to get caughtupon (and tear or become attached to) the envelope 10 than if the sideflap edges 48 are exposed outside the rear panel 16. Additionally, moreof the rear panel 16 is available for printing if the side flaps 18 arenot outside the rear panel 16 (if the rear panel 16 is not sandwichedbetween the side flaps 18 and the front panel 12). However, each sideflap 18 may alternately overlap a portion of the rear panel 16, and theadhesive 20 may be provided on a forwardly facing surface of each sideflap 18 to adhere the side flaps 18 to the rear panel 16.

Preferably, each side flap 18 has a width of approximately ⅞ inch for anenvelope width of about 9½ inches, though other widths may also be used.The side flaps 18 may be adhered with adhesive 20 to the rear panel 16adjacent to the inside edges 48, as shown in FIG. 4, such that an insertplaced in the envelope pocket 28 will not snag or get caught between theinside edges 48 and the rear panel 16. By placing the adhesive 20 toapproximately 5 mm (and more preferably to approximately 3 mm) from theinside edges 48, the tendency to snag or catch between the inside edges48 and the rear panel 16 may be overcome, and the adhesive may be keptfrom flowing past the inside edges 48 and adhering the rear panel 16 tothe front panel 12.

The inside edges 48 transition into the top edges 50 (either throughcurves as shown or through respective angles,) and the top edges 50extend to upper corners 52, 54 of the envelope formed at the junction ofthe envelope top edge 30 with the envelope side edges 34, 36.Preferably, the top edge 50 slopes downward from the upper corners 52,54. At the junction of the side flap top edges 50 and the rear panel topedge 38 are relatively smooth transition points 56, shown in a close-upview in FIG. 5. Transition points 56 facilitate the smooth and accurateplacement of the envelope insert into the envelope pocket 28 byautomated mail handling equipment. Additionally, this configurationallows the side flaps 18 and rear panel 16 to be adhered (i.e., withadhesive 20) near both the side flap top edges 50 and the rear panel topedge 38 to prevent inserts from catching in between the side flaps 18and rear panel 16 near the transition points 56. By placing the adhesive20 to approximately 5 mm (and more preferably to approximately 3 mm)from the top edges 50, the tendency to snag or catch between the topedges 50 and the rear panel 16 may be overcome, and the adhesive may bekept from flowing past the top edges 50 and onto the front panel 12. Asmall-radius curve (e.g., a curve having a radius of approximately 8 mmor less) or an angle between respective top edges 50 and inside edges 48may allow more adhesive 20 to be used than would otherwise be possible;this may even better eliminate the tendency to snag or catch between thetop edges 50 and the rear panel 16 and/or strengthen the bond betweenthe side flaps 18 and the rear panel 16.

To achieve the benefits of the relatively smooth transition points 56,the inside angle θ formed between a tangent line to the rear panel topedge 38 at each of the transition points 56 and a tangent line to therespective side flap top edge 50 at the respective transition point 56should be about 15 degrees or less, and preferably about 10 degrees orless. At these angles, inserts that contact transition points 56 whenmoved downward into envelope pocket 28 in the direction of insertionarrow 100 will tend to slide past transition points 56, such that thepoints 56 do not significantly impede the motion of the insert into thepocket 28.

Continuing inward from the transition point 56, the rear panel top edge38 preferably has a downward slope such that the top edge 38, along withside flap top edges 50, form a V-shaped envelope throat 58 with alowermost portion 60 located approximately midway between the rear panelside edges 40, 42. In this configuration, the lowermost portion ispreferably located about 11/16 of an inch below the envelope top edge 30for an envelope having a height of about 4⅛ inches. As with thetransitions point 56, the envelope throat 58 geometry aids in accurateplacement of the insert within the envelope pocket 28 because insertstraveling downward into the envelope pocket 28 will contact the throat58 gradually, allowing the insert to more easily readjust if notperfectly aligned with the pocket.

The closure or seal flap 24 extends from the front panel 12 along theenvelope top edge 30 and is movable between an open position where itemscan be inserted and removed from the envelope pocket 28, and a closed orsealed position where the flap overlaps and adheres to the envelope rearsurface 22. The closure flap 24 has an outer edge 62 that can have arange of profiles as long as the flap has sufficient height as tooverlap with the envelope throat 58 and adhere to the rear surface 22.In the preferred embodiment, the closure flap 24 has a pair of curvedshoulder regions 64 extending from each of the envelope upper corners52, 54 along the outer edge 62. Preferably, the radius of curvature ofthe shoulder regions 64 is at least 1 inch, and preferably about 1⅝inches, and the length of the shoulder regions along the closure flapouter edge 62 is at least 1 inch, and preferably about 1¾ inches, for anenvelope having a width of about 9½ inches and a height of about 4⅛inches. Additionally, the peak height of the closure flap 24 should beabout 1⅝ inches to adequately cover the V-shaped envelope throat 58 ofan assembled envelope having a width of about 9½ inches and a height ofabout 4⅛ inches. The shoulder regions 64 ensure that envelope feedingand advancing devices in the automated mail handling process that firstencounter the side edge of an envelope receive the closure flapgradually. This allows the mail handling devices to adjust to theposition of the closure flap 24 as it is advancing and thereby reducethe likelihood of the envelope 10 jamming. This closure flap profilefurther cooperates with the closure flap opening mechanism of aninserting machine to reduce jamming of the closure flap.

In the automated mail handing process, mail handing equipment receivesan envelope 10 containing an insert for processing. More specifically,an automated opening device secures the position of the envelope 10 andmakes a series of side cuts 200 adjacent to one or more of the envelopeside edges 34, 36, and, if desired, a top cut 202 adjacent to theenvelope top edge 30, as shown in FIG. 6. Because of the significanttapering of the rear panel side edges 40, 42 and corresponding exposureof the side flaps 18 along the envelope rear surface 22, the cuttingmechanism of the automated opening device—at least the portion of thecutting mechanism forming the side cuts 200—need only penetrate the sideflaps 18 and the front panel 12 for a significant distance along theenvelope side edges 40, 42 to open the envelope ends. Consequently, theportion of the cutting mechanism forming the side cuts 200 merelypenetrates, at most, a small section of the rear panel 16, a smallsection of closure flap 24, and none of the adhesive 20 that holds therear panel and side flaps 18 together. If desired, the side cuts 200 canbe made on the exposed side flaps 18 only between the rear panel 16 at alower edge of the cut and the closure flap 24 at an upper edge of thecut, so that neither the rear panel 16 or closure flap 24 are cut atall, if the envelope insert is sufficiently small as can be retrievedthrough a side cut 200 of this dimension. These side cut 200configurations significantly decrease the wear and stress placed on thecutting mechanism from substantially cutting through more than twomaterial layers and/or adhesive. If the side cuts 200 and top cut 202are performed, the mail handling equipment can separate the front panel12 and rear surface 22 and remove the insert contained therein forprocessing.

Thus, the folded envelope of the present invention provides an improveddesign that offers more reliable performance in the automated mailhanding process. This design incorporates a panel and flap configurationthat facilitates the placement of inserts within the envelope, themovement of the envelope through the mail handing process, and theopening of the envelope by automated opening devices. While certainforms of the present invention have been illustrated and describedherein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement ofparts described and shown.

1. An envelope having a top edge, a bottom edge and first and secondside edges, the envelope comprising: a front panel; a rear panelinterconnected with the front panel along the bottom edge of theenvelope, the rear panel having a top edge and first and second sideedges, at least a portion of the rear panel between the first and secondside edges having a width that is reduced from the panel width of therear panel along the bottom edge; first and second side flapsinterconnected with the front panel along a line of weakness to defineopposite first and second side edges for the envelope as the first andsecond side flaps are folded toward the rear panel, the first and secondside flaps extending inwardly a sufficient span as folded from the lineof weakness to extend beyond the first and second side edges of the rearpanel, the first and second side flaps being secured to the rear panelto cooperatively form an envelope rear surface positioned opposite ofthe front panel; a closure flap interconnected with the front panelalong a common top edge; wherein the rear panel overlaps the side flaps,and adhesive is placed on respective rearwardly facing surfaces of theside flaps to adhere the side flaps to the rear panel; and wherein afirst transition point is formed at an intersection of the first sideflap and the rear panel top edge and a second transition point is formedat an intersection of the second side flap and the rear panel top edge,each of the first and second transition points having a transition angledefined between a tangent line to the rear panel top edge at therespective transition point and a tangent line to the respective sideflap at the respective transition point, the transition angles beingabout 15 degrees or less.
 2. The envelope of claim 1, wherein: each sideflap has a bottom edge, an inside edge, and a top edge; the adhesive isplaced on the respective rearwardly facing surfaces of the side flaps sothat the adhesive is spaced between approximately 3 mm and 5 mm from therespective inside edges; and the adhesive is placed on the respectiverearwardly facing surfaces of the side flaps so that the adhesive isspaced between approximately 3 mm and 5 mm from the respective topedges.
 3. The envelope of claim 2, wherein respective side flap topedges and respective side flap inside edges meet at a configurationselected from the group consisting of a small-radius curve and an angle.4. The envelope of claim 1, wherein: each side flap has a bottom edge,an inside edge, and a top edge; and the adhesive is placed on therespective rearwardly facing surfaces of the side flaps to approximately3 mm from the respective inside edges and to approximately 3 mm from therespective top edges.
 5. The envelope of claim 4, wherein respectiveside flap top edges and respective side flap inside edges meet at aconfiguration selected from the group consisting of a small-radius curveand an angle.
 6. The envelope of claim 5, wherein the transition angleof each of the first and second transition points is about 10 degrees orless.
 7. The envelope of claim 6, wherein the rear panel top edge formsa throat region sloping downward from the first and second transitionpoints.
 8. An envelope comprising: a front panel having a generallyrectangular shape and forming an envelope front surface, the front paneldefining opposite first and second side edges of the envelope; a rearpanel interconnected with the front panel along a common bottom edge,the rear panel having a top edge and first and second side edges, thefirst and second side edges having a rapidly tapering region defining anarea of panel width proximal to the bottom edge that is reduced from thepanel width along the bottom edge, a portion of the rear panel first andsecond side edges above the rapidly tapering region extendingsubstantially parallel to the respective first and second side edges ofthe envelope; first and second side flaps interconnected with the frontpanel along common opposite side edges, the side flaps being fixedlyjoined to the rear panel to form an envelope rear surface positionedopposite of the envelope front surface, the side flaps being sandwichedbetween the rear panel and the front panel; and a closure flapinterconnected with the front panel along a common top edge and havingan outer edge forming a set of shoulder areas proximal to the top edge;and wherein a first transition point is formed at an intersection of thefirst side flap and the rear panel top edge and a second transitionpoint is formed at an intersection of the second side flap and the rearpanel top edge, each of the first and second transition points having atransition angle defined between a tangent line to the rear panel topedge at the respective transition point and a tangent line to therespective side flap at the respective transition point, the transitionangles being about 15 degrees or less.
 9. The envelope of claim 8,wherein: adhesive is placed on respective rearwardly facing surfaces ofthe side flaps to adhere the side flaps to the rear panel; and each sideflap has a bottom edge, an inside edge, and a top edge.
 10. The envelopeof claim 9, wherein respective side flap top edges and respective sideflap inside edges meet at a configuration selected from the groupconsisting of a small-radius curve and an angle.
 11. The envelope ofclaim 10, wherein the adhesive is placed on the respective rearwardlyfacing surfaces of the side flaps so that an area extendingapproximately 3 mm from the respective inside edges and approximately 3mm from the respective top edges are free of the adhesive.
 12. Theenvelope of claim 11, wherein: the adhesive is approximately 3 mm fromthe respective inside edges of the rearwardly facing surfaces of theside flaps; and the adhesive is approximately 3 mm from the respectivetop edges of the rearwardly facing surfaces of the side flaps.
 13. Theenvelope of claim 11, wherein: the adhesive is between 3 mm and 5 mmfrom the respective inside edges of the rearwardly facing surfaces ofthe side flaps; and the adhesive is between 3 mm and 5 mm from therespective top edges of the rearwardly facing surfaces of the sideflaps.
 14. The envelope of claim 13, wherein the transition angle ofeach of the first and second transition points is about 10 degrees orless.
 15. The envelope of claim 14, wherein the rear panel top edgeforms a throat region sloping downward from the first and secondtransition points.
 16. The envelope of claim 9, wherein the adhesive isplaced on the respective rearwardly facing surfaces of the side flaps sothat an area extending approximately 3 mm from the respective insideedges and approximately 3 mm from the respective top edges are free ofthe adhesive.
 17. The envelope of claim 16, wherein: the adhesive isapproximately 3 mm from the respective inside edges of the rearwardlyfacing surfaces of the side flaps; and the adhesive is approximately 3mm from the respective top edges of the rearwardly facing surfaces ofthe side flaps.
 18. The envelope of claim 16, wherein: the adhesive isbetween 3 mm and 5 mm from the respective inside edges of the rearwardlyfacing surfaces of the side flaps; and the adhesive is between 3 mm and5 mm from the respective top edges of the rearwardly facing surfaces ofthe side flaps.